Watch or clock movement



Aug. 8, 1933- H. I. MARMORSTEIN WATCH OR CLOCK MOVEMENT Filed Aug. '7, 1951 AT7URNEYS.

Patented Aug. 8, 1933 stares when 5 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and improved watch or clock movement.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved movement for watches and clocks, by means of which the time shall be indicated by the proper movement of a series of dials or registers, instead of relying upon the usual hour-hand and minute-hand.

Another object of my invention is to provide a movement of the type which is shown in my Patent No. 1,821,066 and application No. 478,058, so that the movement is much more simple and cheap to construct.

Another object of my invention is to provide a movement of this type which is more compact, so that the movement can be incorporated in a small wrist Watch. Another object of my invention is to provide a movement of this type which will facilitate the setting of the watch or clock to the correct time, and which will make it possible to reversely move the minute-dial and the ten-minute-dial, which was not possible with the movements described in the previously mentioned patent and application.

Other objects of my invention will be set forth in the following description and drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment thereof, it being understood that the above general statement of the objects of my invention is intended to generally explain the same and not to limit it in any manner.

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a watch having my improved movement.

Fig. 2 is a detail view showing the parts of the movement.

Fig. 3 shows a modification.

The movement comprises an hour-register or hour-dial 1, which is mounted on a shaft 2, having a top ratchet 3, and a bottom ratchet3a.

The base plate of the movement is provided with a pawl 4, which operates in combination with the ratchet 3a, so that the shaft 2 can only turn in the counter-clockwise direction.

The watch or clock is provided with a face plate 16, which is provided with a suitable opening through which one of the numbers on the hour-dial 1 can be seen. This opening also makes it possible to see one of the numbers on the ten-minute-dial 19, and one of the numbers on the minute-dial 17. The shaft 2 is intermittently turned in the clockwise direction, by means of the combined action of the ratchet 3, and the pawl or click 5, which is pivotally connected by means of the screw 6 to the lever 7. This lever 7 is pivotally connected by means of the screw 8 to the base plate. The pawl 5 is held against the ratchet 3 by means of the usual blade spring. Hence, the shaft 2 is intermittently turned for each complete oscillation of the lever 7.

The movement has a shaft 9 which is turned once an hour by a suitable spring and regulating mechanism (not shown), and this shaft 9 carries the counting wheel 10 which has sixty teeth, and which turns once an hour in the clockwise direction. This counting wheel 10 is provided with an upstanding pin 11, and this pin 11 may have a heart shape, as shown in my application Serial No. 478,058. The pin 11 contacts once during each hour with the member 12, which is pivotally connected at 14 to the lever 7. The rear end of the member 14 is shaped, so that when the pin 11 is moved in the clockwise direction, the member 14 is not free to turn with respect to the member 7. Hence the clockwise movement of the pin 11 causes the lever 7 to turn in the counter-clockwise direction, to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

When the pin 11 moves beyond the point of the member 14, the blade spring 15 moves the so lever 7 back to its full line position, thus operating the ratchet 3. When the pin 11 moves in the reverse direction, the member 12 is free to turn in the clockwise direction around the pivot 14, so that the reverse movement of the wheel 10 does not operate the lever 7. The member 12 is held in the posit-ion shown in Fig. 2, by means of an ordinary blade spring 14.

Since the ratchet 3 has twelve teeth, it is turned once an hour, for one-twelfth of a revolution.

The hour-dial 1 has the usual twelve numbers indicated thereon, so that the hour indication is shifted once an hour in the usual way.

The minute-dial or register 17 is mounted upon a shaft 18, which is provided with ten teeth, so that the register 17 is turned six times per hour. The minute-dial or register has the usual ten numbers for indicating the minutes.

The ten minute register 19 is mounted upon a shaft 20 on which a star wheel 21 is mounted. This star wheel 21 has six teeth, and it is held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by means of a spring 22, which is connected by means of the screw 23 to the base plate.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the star wheel 21 is intermittently turned by means 01' a lever 24, which is mounted upon a shaft 25, hav ing a gear 26 which is provided with ten teeth. This lever or arm 24 turns underneath a bridge 1 hour.

member 24a, which serves to prevent the lever 24 from moving upwardly. Since this gear 26 is in mesh with the counting wheel 19, the gear 26 and the lever 24- are also turned six times per Hence the star wheel 21 is intermittently actuated six times per hour, and each turn is for one-sixth oi a revolution, so that the star wheel 21 is given a complete turn every hour.

The spring 22 also acts as a jump spring, in order to cause the sudden movement of the star wheel 21 and of the ten-minute register 19.

Since the lever 24 turns slowly, it gradually turns the star wheel 21 until it is in an unstable position with respect to tl e spring The spring 22 then operates to suddenly turn the wheel 21, each intermittent turn being for onesixth of a revolution. Since the end of the spring 22 touches two of the points of the end of the wheel, each number on the dial 19 is always caused to have the proper position. When the number on the dial 1? is visible, exposed number on the dial 192 slowly moves without passing from he opening until the dial 19. is suddenly moved so that the number 0 on the dial '17 is exposed to view, the next number on the dial 1'! also comes. That is, as the number 8 on the dial 1'? is fully exposed to view, the

ial 19 is caused to jump, thus bringing the prop,- er number to view.

The movement of the lever 7 in the clockwise direction is limited by a stop pin '75:.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, the lever 2s and the gear 25 are eliminated, and the star wheel 21 is turned, in the manner previously stated, by means of upstanding pins 10a, which are provided upon the counting wheel 19. The pin 11 is the same as before, and it operates the lever 7 in the manner previously specified. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 3, a recess or cutout is provided in the underside of the member 12, so that the pins 10o can pass underneath said member 12 without turning the same, since the member 12 and the pawl '7 re operated only by pin 11.

The counting wheel 10 meshes with a gear 1 8a, having ten teeth, and this meshes with a similar gear 181), on whose shaft the dial 1? is mounted. This additional gear is necessary, in order to cause the dial 1'? to turn in a direction opposite to the direction in which the dial 19 is turned. v

In order to set the watch, the usual stem S may be employed. When this stem S is pulled out and turned in the usual manner, it tu ns the shaft 9 either in the forward direction, or in the reverse direction. When the proper hournumber has been exposed, the crown S can be then passes over the member 12 without actuating it. Hence, if it is desir d to change the indication of the minutes, without changing the indication of the hour, it is merely necessary to turn the crown S in the reverse direction. If it is desired to change th setting of the hour indication, the crown S can be turned in the proper direction, so as to shift all three registers 1, 17 and 19.

Likewise, if it is desired to change the hour indication quickly, it is only necessary to turn the crown S forwards backwards, so that the pin 11 is brought behind the member 12 and is then shifted forward. This will quickly change the hour indication, and the minute indication can then be properly set in the manner previously explained.

It will be noted that the pins 10a can be made of the same height as the pin 11, which renders the movement more compact.

This movement can be actuated by a spring, by electricity or the like, and it is applicable to all kinds of watches and clocks.

For example, while I have'shown the use of a star wheel and of a jump-spring for intermittently turning the dial 153, I do not wish to be limited to this specific mechanism for producing a quick and properly limited movement of said dial 19. Likewise, I do not wish to be limited to the specific mechanism illustrated, as my invention generally covers a mechanism in which an operating device, such as the operating pin 11, can move in opposite directions, the movement of said operating member 11 being efiective to move the actuating member 7, onlywhen said operating member 11 is moving in one of said directions. Likewise, it is not necessary to have the-pin 11 directly mounted upon the gear 10, although this free to turn with respect to said pawl in only one I direction so that the movement of said operating pin in one direction is eilective to operate said pawl and the movement of said operating pin in the opposite direction is ineifective to operate said pawl.

2. In ahmovement of the type described, an hour-dial, a ratchet connected thereto, a pawl mounted to move to and fro, said pawl being .adapted to intermittently turn said ratchet, a tenminute dial, a minute-dial, a master gear, a first connection between said master gear and said minute-dial, a second connection between said 'master gear and the ten-minute dial, so that the turning of said master gear causes the operation of the said minute-dial and of said ten-minute dial, an actuating pin mounted upon said master gear, said pawl having a projection adapted to extend into the path of movement of said actuating pin, said projection being free to turn with respect to said pawl in only one direction, so that the turning of said master gear in a predetermined direction actuates said hour-dial, and the turning of said master gear in the opposite direction is ineffective to actuate said hour-dial;

. 3. In a movement of the type described, an hour-dial, a ratchet connected thereto, a pivotally mounted pawl adapted to intermittently turn said ratchet, a ten-minute dial, astar wheel connected thereto and having six points, a blade spring adapted to press against two of the points of said star wheel, a master gear, a minute-dial having an actuating gear in mesh with said master gear, second actuating means operable by the turning of said master gear and adapted to intermittently turn said star wheel, an operating pin mounted upon said master gear, said pawl having a projection extending into the path of movement of said operating pin, said projection being freely turnable with respect to said pawl in only one direction so that the turning of the master gear in one direction intermittently operates said pawl and the turning of the master gear in the reverse direction is ineffective to operate said pawl.

4. In a movement of the, type described, an hour-dial, a ratchet connected thereto, a pivotally mounted pawl adapted to intermittently turn said ratchet, a ten-minute dial, a star wheel connected thereto and having six points, a blade spring adapted to press against two of the points of said star wheel, a master gear, aminute-dial having an actuating gear in mesh with said master gear, second actuating means operable by the turning of said master gear and adapted to intermittently turn said star wheel, an operating pin mounted upon said master gear, said pawl having a projection extending into the path of movement of said operating pin, said projection being freely turnable with respect to said pawl in only one direction so that the turning of the master gear in one direction intermittently operates said pawl and the turning of the master gear in the reverse direction is inefiective to operate said pawl, said actuating means for the star wheel comprising six pins additional to said operating pin, all said pins being of substantially the same height, said operating pin being closer to the center of the gear than any of said six pins.

5. In a movement of the type described, a turnable hour-dial; an operating member which is movable back and forth, and an actuating member connected to said operating member and movable in unison therewith, said actuating member being relatively movable with respect to said operating member in only one direction, so that said actuating member is adapted to move said hour dial when said operating member is moved only in a predetermined direction.

HERMAN I. MARMORSTEIN. 

